CN1116026A - Audience measurement system - Google Patents

Audience measurement system Download PDF

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Publication number
CN1116026A
CN1116026A CN94190826A CN94190826A CN1116026A CN 1116026 A CN1116026 A CN 1116026A CN 94190826 A CN94190826 A CN 94190826A CN 94190826 A CN94190826 A CN 94190826A CN 1116026 A CN1116026 A CN 1116026A
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Prior art keywords
program
station symbol
family
station
data
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Granted
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CN94190826A
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CN1047902C (en
Inventor
威廉·L·托马斯
卢道政
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TNC US Holdings Inc
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AC Nielsen Co
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    • H04H20/30—Arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information by a single channel
    • H04H20/31—Arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information by a single channel using in-band signals, e.g. subsonic or cue signal
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    • H04H60/35—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users
    • H04H60/37—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users for identifying segments of broadcast information, e.g. scenes or extracting programme ID
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    • H04H60/38—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users for identifying broadcast time or space
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    • H04N21/44—Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream, rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs
    • H04N21/44008—Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream, rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs involving operations for analysing video streams, e.g. detecting features or characteristics in the video stream
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    • H04N21/442—Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed, the storage space available from the internal hard disk
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    • H04N21/44222—Analytics of user selections, e.g. selection of programs or purchase activity
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    • H04N21/65—Transmission of management data between client and server
    • H04N21/654—Transmission by server directed to the client
    • H04N21/6543—Transmission by server directed to the client for forcing some client operations, e.g. recording
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    • H04N21/65—Transmission of management data between client and server
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    • H04N21/835—Generation of protective data, e.g. certificates
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Abstract

An audience measurement system collects data representative of tuned programs rather than of tuned channels, and includes a household metering apparatus which records ancillary codes or extracts program signatures from the programs if no ancillary codes are found therein, a reference apparatus which monitors broadcast programs to be monitored, which extracts reference signatures therefrom, which records whatever ancillary codes may be associated with these broadcast programs and, if no ancillary codes are present, which compresses and stores a digital replica representative of the braodcast programs to be monitored, a data collection apparatus which compares the household and reference data to determine which of the broadcast programs to be monitored were selected for viewing and/or listening,which of the metered households selected the braodcast programs to be monitored for viewing and/or listening, and at which times the broadcast programs to be monitored were slected for viewing and/or listening.

Description

Audience measurement system
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a kind of audience measurement system, or rather, relate to the audience measurement system that program of radio station that a kind of station synchronization that spectators are watched or audience listen attentively to is differentiated.Background of invention
Although description of the invention, should be appreciated that the present invention is equally applicable to the radio listener monitoring at televiewer's monitoring.Simultaneously, term used herein " program " can have all lengths, all or part of as program, commercial advertisement, distribution, public service announcement and so on.
In the prior art, the broadcasting listener measures is to monitor each statistics with the equipment of the single household that places statistics to select to select channel that family receiver recruited.Concentrate office to collect the data that these statistics are selected the family, and compare with the reference data of collecting separately.These reference datas comprise the listing by the available programming of each each receivable channel of rating time, are commonly referred to program recording (reference data also can be called radio station record, cable TV record etc.).Channel by will recruiting (promptly statistics is selected the channel that receiver is recruited in the family) compares with program in these channels of this moment, can the identification of the selected program of family of some be drawn an inference.
Because in the many decades in the past, the phenomenal growth of the average of the channel that family received of being sampled makes that the establishment of program recording is more and more difficult.This growth major part be because program making and (or) increase of broadcast source quantity and to the cause of easily the reaching property raising in these sources.The program source easily raising major part of reaching property is again because the cause of the increase of the quantity of the cable TV of distribution program and satellite TV system.The channel quantity that can be received and select increase and the raising of Yi Daxing has increased the difficulty of working out accurate program recording and required expense.Like this, just need a kind ofly, eliminate this system being difficult to the dependence of the bigger program recording of establishment and establishment cost based on program rather than based on the system of the mensuration program audience of channel.
In addition, conventional audience measurement equipment price costliness is installed in the family that statistics is selected.The overwhelming majority of cost with the channel of recruiting need be calibrated to corresponding program source relevant (when the path of the signal that enters family by numerous devices of recruiting, as TV recruit device, cable TV converter, VCR recruit device etc. especially).This cost and another signal portion be since need open usually (promptly entering) monitored receiver and (or) thereby the installation personnel of relevant devices audience measurement equipment can be safely near these receivers recruit device and (or) cause of relevant devices.Simultaneously, the family that statistics is selected may be reluctant to allow this entering, and can damage thing or unbecoming because worry this entering.
Have again, the record of watching that produces for the audience measurement system always exists some intrinsic confused at least, this be because, although channel and these receivers time on these channels of transferring that this system selects the receiver in the family to recruit to statistics are made accurate report, for these channels and in these time the present program of broadcasting can't accurately know.Overcome that this confused to build method that instrument adopts be with an auxiliary code program of each broadcasting to be marked (for example, broadcast and (or) vertical blanking period of each TV programme of supervision one digital code is write on the selected image line).Subsequently, this auxiliary code can be read by the measuring equipment of sampling in the family, and can compare with the auxiliary code that is stored in such as in the coded program namebase of concentrating office's computer etc.This coded program namebase contains the table of an artificial input, contains programm name and associated coding in this table.Like this, give rating in the sampling family and (or) selected program one auxiliaring coding listened to, can determine the programm name of this program according to this storehouse easily.Although once the someone advised this system in the past, but this system successfully is not used as audience measurement always, this is because this system need be to all possible program coding before carrying out complete determination, and handle by various distribution and broadcasting intactly because of this system requirements auxiliaring coding, thereby be difficult to identification.
Auxiliaring coding is commonly used to confirm the program adjustment.That is, typical audience measurement system decisions making channel and this receiver time on these channels of transferring of selecting the receiver at family to recruit to statistics.The channel of recruiting and the time on these channels of transferring are sent to a central facilities at regular intervals, and at this central facilities place, channel of being recruited and accent time and the aforementioned program recording on these channels compares.This program recording is to work out according to the information that program source provided of these programs, is intended to be reflected in the sign of the program that the moment indicated in this program recording will broadcast.The system that reads these program auxiliaring codings is used for confirming the accuracy of program recording, that is, these programs are broadcast away in required time as indicated in the program recording.
The United States Patent (USP) 4,025,851 of an example of this system as transferring the same surrenderee of the application.Wherein the program of the system monitoring that is disclosed on the image line of one or more TV programme vertical blanking periods with a coding.System described in this patent is commonly referred to (the abbreviating AMOL as) system that monitors automatically that adjusts, the U.S. is widely-used in the past ten years, this system is used for judging the sign of (i) broadcast program, (ii) broadcasts the local station of these programs, the time of (iii) broadcasting these programs.Such system greatly reduces the complexity of the program recording of gained, and has improved the accuracy of these program recordings, and these program recordings are fundamentals that contemporary national televiewer measures.This AMOL system is not used in sampling family, and its reason is that coding is lost problem, and these problems can be located more successful being corrected in the broadcasting monitoring station, but are difficult to overcome in sampling family.
The United States Patent (USP) 4 of a weber Lay (Weinblatt) is seen by the system that is used for broadcasting listeners' monitoring, 718, in audience's mensuration system that 106 webers of Lays provide, each participant is with a measurement mechanism, and this measurement mechanism comprises a microphone and a testing circuit in response to coding in the band in the Promgramming.The weber Lay has been discussed in this method the background noise as a problem, and points out that this noise can overcome with the microphone of a muting sensitivity.United States Patent (USP) 4,807, what the system that is disclosed in 031 had used a kind of low data rate perfects the image brightness coding method.United States Patent (USP) 4,945, the system that is disclosed in 412 has used 40Hz infrasonic frequency single-tone that the audio-frequency unit of broadcasting is encoded.
In the Application No. that transfers the same assignee of the present invention is 07/981, in 199 the patent documentation, Thomas people such as (Thomas) has provided a kind of multilevel coding system, in this multilevel coding system, can insert a coding in a program of program distribution at different levels.Each coding provides the sign of program source in the corresponding stage of this multilevel coding system.Like this, just can follow the tracks of program by this distribution system.
The aforementioned system that depends on encoded broadcast need be encoded to all programs with at least one program source in the compartment system (for example broadcasting station).Even agree all that in all broadcasting stations the accidental error of encoding device also can produce the space in a kind of like this impossible event of cooperation in the data that system provided that only depend on these codings.Only otherwise the important numbers of program is encoded, these spaces will produce losing of determination data, and all programs are shared measure meaningless.Like this, even do not encode in the program that will discern, also need to collect the program identification data.
Several broadcasting of suggestion are measured system and are not detected the coding of embedding for the purpose of identification program, but monitor the content of program.These systems generally receive the program of measuring point place monitoring, the broadcasting station symbol of from these programs, extracting, and with these station symbols with before from the Reference product (as the program distribution tape) of these programs or correspondingly comparing of from the previous broadcasting that will monitor, extracting with reference to station symbol.For example, in the United States Patent (USP) 4,697,209 that transfers the same assignee of this patent, disclose a kind of program monitoring system, broadcasting station symbol wherein is to collect in the sampling family relevant with certain programme content (picture in for example monitored program video part changes).These broadcasting station symbols are compared with the collected reference station symbol of the reference device of existing broadcast source in the selected market of recruiting subsequently.Broadcasting station symbol and corresponding with reference to the just viewed program of relatively indication satisfied between the station symbol, and be not channel.
Transfer the program monitoring system that disclosed in the same assignee's of the present invention the United States Patent (USP) 4,677,466 broadcast segmentation with selected program (for example commercial advertisement).This monitoring system will for watch usually subsequently not by approval, have the commercial advertisement of asking with fixed attention (for example, short and the general forward and backward program that a blanking frames is arranged of time, its length is usually suitable with commercial advertisement) make record-reproduce head, thereby can with manual method make do not approved and have doubtful to the sign of commercial advertisement.These are not approved and doubt commercial advertisement for manual identified on record-reproduce head, must send these video recordings to operating personnel.Along with these unsanctioned and doubt commercial advertisements are discerned with manual method, give these commercial advertisements one appropriate program identification (ID).
Yet, depend on extracting of station symbol and also have well-known shortcoming with the system that discerns program.These system price costlinesses, its use is subject to the cost of computer hardware.In addition, these systems depend on from known program source and collect the reference station target with reference to measuring point.When a reference device broke down, all that are used for that program source can be lost with reference to the station symbol data.If the data of losing account for the pith of the action of recruiting, be commonly referred to " sharing " so and extensively the statistic of employing is just unreliable.
Transmit (for example on a telephone wire) program digital compressed image and (or) sound reproduction product rather than recorded tape equally also be well-known.For example, in the United States Patent (USP) 4,888,638 that transfers the same assignee of the application, each family is delivered in phone line in program compression back.Compressed program is stored in the equipment in each family, and subsequently when satisfying some previously selected condition (program identification that is comprised in for example in response to compression program), is displayed on the television receiver, replaces the program in the set time.Introduce relevant compressed image and (or) some data of the renewal of sound reproduction product sees the United States Patent (USP) 5,223,923 of Si Teluobai (Strubbe).The system of Si Teluobai makes and select for the program of watching or writing down in the future, and this program material is the program material copy that a certain televiewer can be given according to these spectators to produce in the compression duplicate in the database from is stored in this spectators family.Summary of the invention
Different with the mensuration system of prior art, systematic collection of the present invention is represented the data of selected program rather than selected channel, and generally include (i) sampling in the family fixing and (or) portable family metering device, this metering device moved in the time that receives a certain broadcasting, and presumable auxiliary code in the program that will monitor of record, if there is not auxiliary code, the program station symbol of then from program, extracting, a (ii) reference unit, the broadcast program that this reference unit monitoring will be monitored, therefrom extract with reference to station symbol, store these with reference to station symbol, write down any auxiliary code with these broadcast program associated that will monitor, and the if there is no words of auxiliary code, just compression and storage representative will be monitored the digital copies of broadcast program, a (iii) digit collection device, this device is collected data from a plurality of such family's metering devices and one or more reference unit, and comparison these family's continuous data and reference datas, thereby judge the broadcast program which (a) select and will monitor, for watch and (or) listen to, (b) which tested family watch and (or) listen to the broadcast program that will monitor, (c) when select the broadcast program that to monitor, for watch and (or) listen to, (iv) concentrate exchange device, automatically judge the programm name of each coded program of monitoring, and regenerate that each monitors the copy of compressed broadcast program, make this worker can watch this copy, and give programm name of each respective program.
Audience measurement of the present invention system adopts auxiliary code to discern just selecteed encoded broadcast program, for watch and (or) listen to, and collect the program data or the signal (for example station symbol) that can be used to discern non-encoded broadcast program subsequently.Audience measurement of the present invention system can be installed in the family of a certain statistics selection non-intrusion type, thereby in fact needn't open the amusement equipment of family.
Therefore, an inventive point of the present invention is, audience measurement system identification signal original broadcast and program that family's receiver is recruited.This audience measurement system comprises a reference receiver, is used for receiving the programming of a certain base station.One program station symbol extractor and family's receiver coupling, the also program station symbol of stored broadcast program of extracting.One is coupled with reference to station symbol extractor and reference receiver, extracts and the reference station symbol of stored broadcast program.This is compared with above-mentioned program station symbol with reference to station symbol, produce corresponding to the program identification of this program watch and (or) listen to record.One family's code reader and this family's receiver are coupled, and read the auxiliary code of program receiving in this family, and the program auxiliary code that receives in this family is stored in the first memory.One reference encoder reader and reference receiver are coupled, and read the auxiliary code of program receiving in the base station, and the auxiliary code of program receiving is stored in the second memory in will standing.Take out these auxiliary codes from first memory and second memory.The auxiliary code of obtaining from first memory compares with the data that are stored in the coded program namebase, thus produce one corresponding to the program identification of this program watch and (or) listen to record.Compare from second memory auxiliary code of obtaining and the data that are stored in the coded program namebase, thereby produce a program identification broadcast recoding corresponding with this program.
Second inventive point of the present invention is, audience measurement system identification signal original broadcast, and family's receiver program of recruiting.This audience measurement system comprises a reference receiver, is used for receiving the programming at a base station place.One family's code reader and this family's receiver are coupled, and read the auxiliary code of program receiving in this family, and the auxiliary code of program receiving in this family is stored in the first memory.Auxiliary code compares with the data that are stored in the coded program namebase, thereby discerns the program that receives in this family.One program station symbol extractor and this family's receiver are coupled, and from this program program station symbol of extracting.One is coupled with reference to station symbol extractor and this reference receiver, and the reference station symbol of the broadcast program of extracting.Above-mentioned program station symbol and this compare with reference to station symbol, thereby discern the program that receives in this family.
The 3rd inventive point of the present invention is that audience measurement system is collected the data of representing programme signal from broadcast signal source.These programme signals are to receive by the family's receiver that is associated with an intended viewer.The first of this programme signal has an auxiliary code, and the second portion of this programme signal does not have auxiliary code.This audience measurement system comprise one with family's receiver sensor associated, be used for experiencing the programme signal first or pairing first and second signal components of second portion that receive with the family receiver.One signal processor has an output, and first and second signal components are handled.One code reader links to each other with the output of signal processor, reads the auxiliary code that programme signal first carries, and this auxiliary code is stored in one recruits in the data storage.One program station symbol generator links to each other with the output of this signal processor, partly produces a program station symbol from the program of programme signal, and this program station symbol is stored in the data storage of recruiting.The auxiliary code and the program station symbol that are stored in the data storage of recruiting are passed to a concentrated office computer.
The 4th inventive point of the present invention be, the audience measurement system measures the spectators from the programming of broadcast signal source, and some programs of this broadcast signal source are received by family's receiver, and selected by a certain intended viewer and to watch or listen to.One first program cells in these programs has an auxiliary code, and second program in these programs does not have auxiliary code.Observe the mensuration system and comprise the program station symbol extractor of a family, be used for the program station symbol of from least one program, extracting.Reference station symbol extractor in the base station extracts one with reference to station symbol from least one program.This program station symbol and this are compared with reference to station symbol.The compression duplicate of second program cells takes place to produce and store in the duplicate of base station in memory.From the regenerate copy of second program cells of this compression duplicate, thereby operating personnel can discern the broadcast program related with second program cells.
The 5th inventive point of the present invention is that the method for the several programs of identification comprises the steps: (a) at a certain receiver from a plurality of broadcast programs of the receiver reception related with a certain spectators, detects and a signal that program is corresponding; (b) if an aid identification sign indicating number is arranged in the signal, the time period of then reading and storing this aid identification sign indicating number and reading this aid identification sign indicating number is as the coded data of the time that marks in the first memory; (c) if there is not the aid identification sign indicating number in this signal, then from this signal program station symbol of extracting, and the time of storing this program station symbol and this program station symbol of extracting, as the program station symbol data of the time that marks in the first memory; (d) data passes in the first memory is arrived concentrated office; (e) detect this signal in a local monitoring station; (f) from programme signal, extract one with reference to station symbol in this monitoring station, this locality, and store this reference station and be marked with and extract this reference station target time, as the reference station symbol data that mark the time in the second memory; (g) in the second memory of the reference station symbol data that have the time of marking, the aid identification sign indicating number that storage (1) is read from programme signal at place, local monitoring station, perhaps the compressed digital duplicate of (2) this signal; (h) data passes in the second memory is arrived concentrated office; (i) concentrating office, will mark coding and the comparison of first database of time, thereby discern the first of a plurality of programs, first database contains broadcast program name table and auxiliary code associated therewith; (j) concentrating office, will mark the program station symbol data comparison of time with first database and this with the auxiliary code that the reference station symbol data that mark the time exist, thereby discern the second portion of a plurality of programs; (k) produce the also copy of manual identified compressed digital duplicate, thereby produce a record in second database, in this second storehouse a table is arranged, this table comprises broadcast program name and associated station symbol; (l) relatively, with second database and the program station symbol data that mark the time thus discern the third part of a plurality of programs; (m) repeating step (j), (k) and (l) all are identified until all program station symbols that mark the time, or are confirmed as and can't discern.
The 6th inventive point of the present invention is that the audience measurement system comprises a receiver apparatus, and this receiver apparatus is near the sampling receiver of a reception program signal.This receiver apparatus comprise first clock, first communicator, from the coded portion of program signal read auxiliary code code reader, produce the program station symbol generator of program station symbol and first storage device that is used for storing first data according to the non-coded portion of program signal, timestamp comprises the timestamp coded data of the auxiliary code that code reader is read that relates to receiver apparatus and relates to the timestamp station symbol data that program station symbol generator produces the program station symbol in first data.Standard apparatus comprises the reference receiver that receives program signal from monitored program source, reference clock, read the code reader of auxiliary code from the coded portion of program signal, produce the reference station target with reference to the station symbol generator according to program signal, produce the compression duplicate generator of the compression duplicate of the non-encoding section branch of program signal, and second storage device of storing second data, these second data comprise the auxiliary code of the code reader reading of standard apparatus, with reference to station symbol, and the code reader of standard apparatus reads auxiliary code and generation reference station target time.Second storage device is also stored the 3rd data that comprise compression duplicate and produce the time of this compression duplicate.Comparison means comprises the second communication device that is coupled with first communicator, and the 3rd storage device that also is used for storing the 4th data, and the 4th data are relevant with the scheduled program unit that has predetermined auxiliary code.Comparison means receives first of first storage device and second storage device, the second and the 3rd data, and order compares, wherein (i) timestamp coded data and the 4th data are adaptive, thereby form the first grouping program identification and watch and/or listen to record, (ii) program station symbol and the reference station symbol with program identification are compared, thereby produce that the second grouping program identification is watched and (or) listen to record, and produce the unidentified program station symbol middle groups of recruiting, (iii) the reference station symbol with some middle groups and the 3rd data compares, discern each the adaptive compression duplicate that finds, thereby can therefrom regenerate and the corresponding broadcast singal of identification compression duplicate, the broadcast singal of regeneration is convenient to operating personnel programm name is matched with unidentified program station symbol, and therefore produce that one the 3rd group of program identification is watched and (or) listen to record, and last organizes unidentified program station symbol.
The 7th inventive point of the present invention be, the audience measurement system in from the broadcast singal that family's receiver a receives program of identification or a radio station of being used for comprises a reference receiver that is used at base station program receiving signal broadcasting.The family's code reader that is coupled with the family receiver according to the programme signal that receives in the family, reads this auxiliary code existing under the situation of auxiliary code.This auxiliary code and the data that are stored in a certain database are compared, discern the program or the radio station that receive in the family.If there is not auxiliary code in the programme signal, then the program station symbol extractor that is coupled with the family receiver is from this programme signal program station symbol of extracting.Extract with reference to station symbol from the programme signal of broadcasting base station with the reference station symbol extractor that the benchmark receiving system is coupled.If obtained the program station symbol, then compare with this program station symbol and with reference to station symbol, discern the program or the radio station that receive in the family.Brief Description Of Drawings
After in conjunction with the accompanying drawings the present invention having been made detailed description, above-mentioned and other feature of the present invention and advantage will become more obvious.In these accompanying drawings:
Fig. 1 is family's metering device schematic diagram that televiewer of the present invention measures system;
Fig. 2 is the block diagram that televiewer of the present invention measures system;
Fig. 3 is that televiewer shown in Figure 2 measures the workflow diagram that family's metering device of system carries out;
Fig. 4 be televiewer shown in Figure 2 measure the record of recruiting that family's metering device of system stored chart for example;
Fig. 5 is that televiewer shown in Figure 2 measures the workflow diagram that the standard apparatus of system carries out;
Fig. 6 be televiewer shown in Figure 2 measure the reference record that the standard apparatus of system stores chart for example;
Fig. 7 is that televiewer shown in Figure 2 measures the program identification flow chart that the concentrated office of system is carried out.The detailed description of most preferred embodiment
Mensuration system summation
As depicted in figs. 1 and 2, the televiewer measures system 10 and measures the characteristics of watching that statistics is selected family 12.The televiewer measures system 10 and comprises the family's metering device 14 that is positioned at statistics selection family 12.Family's metering device 14 can comprise that spectators that hereinafter are called people's counter constitute decision maker 16.This people's counter 16 makes observation indicate its existence by means of a remote control 18 and a plurality of key switch 20.In addition, spectators also can wear individual marker 22, regularly identifying information are issued people's counter 16.Each spectator in the family can have a marker 22, and the identifying information of sending out is exclusively used in this spectator of identification.In addition, in response to remote control 18, key switch 20 and (or) marker 22, people's counter 16 can comprise a thermal camera and a Computerized image processing system (not shown), so that with passive mode the spectator is made identification, and the active that need not spectator to be identified participates in.United States Patent (USP) 4,858,000,5,031,228 and Application No. be to disclose a kind of this system in the patent documentation of 07/992,383 (applying date is on December 15th, 1992).Therefore, people's counter watches that to each spectators make identification.Require (but nonessential) people counter near the television set that will count.A kind of like this television set 24 is seen shown in Figure 1.
Although many audience measurements are limited in adding up family 12 inherent television sets, 24 places of selection and decision making to watching, clearly also require statistics is selected watching and recruit and make measurement beyond the family 12.For a bit, provide a kind of example and take formula metering device 26.For example, when the spectator left family, this portable degree metering device 26 can be carried by the spectator of the family 12 that adds up selection or wear, thereby can be called everybody counter one by one.This portable metering device can the metering portable metering device television sets are recruited near 26 program or radio station.These portable metering device 26 bands can use with portable television 28.
As shown in Figure 2, the televiewer measures system 10 and generally includes family's metering device 14, and this device is installed in each family of the family that a plurality of statistics select, in the family of selecting as statistics 12, receives the signal from one or more programme signals source 30.This televiewer measures system 10 and comprises that also one is installed in the standard apparatus 32 in the local monitoring station 34.This standard apparatus 32 will describe in detail below, and it comprises that (i) is used for the device of each program source or each group program source of 34 receptions of local monitoring station, and the common device of all program source of (ii) local monitoring station 34 receptions.Local monitoring station 34 is the family selected of the some reception same program of close enough signal source 30 statistics of being signaled geographically.
The televiewer measures system 10 and comprises that also one concentrates exchange device 36, this device to be installed in to concentrate office 38 places, the data in the outside segments program recording source represented from family's metering device 14, standard apparatus 32 and with arrow 40 of collecting.Concentrate exchange device 36 handle from family's metering device 14, ginseng standard apparatus 32 and (or) data in outside segments program recording source, provide the audience measurement report.
Although Fig. 2 is programme signal source 30 paintings broadcast transmitting antennas, the programme signal of being launched selects antenna 42 and local monitoring station 34 interior antennas 44 in the family 12 to receive by statistics, but it should be understood that, programme signal can be distributed by multiple facility, for example by coaxial cable, optical cable, satellite, rent record-reproduce head, CD etc.In addition, although Fig. 2 draws is that TV programme signal selects by a plurality of statistics that television receiver 24 distributes in the family 12, but the discussion by hereinafter will become know be, the present invention can be applied to equally radio signal or other videos and (or) audio signal source, as box or tape etc.
Family's metering device 14 that the televiewer measures system 10 preferably includes a data storage, and the communication processor 46 that communicates of the communication processor 50 by public switched telephone network 48 and concentrated exchange device 36.Communicating by letter between the communication processor 50 that public switched telephone network 48 also helps to concentrate exchange device 36 and the monitoring station data storage of reference unit 32 and the communication processor 52.
Family's metering device 14 also comprises the measuring equipment 54 of recruiting that is used for each monitored television set 24.Each measuring equipment 54 of recruiting comprises one or more transducers 56, signal pre-processing circuit 18, family's coding reading machine 60 and family's station symbol extractor 62.Any transducer all can be used as transducer 56.For example, transducer 56 can link to each other with the video circuit of the television set 24 that is measured especially.Yet the preferred versions of transducer 56 is a kind of non-invasive sensors, as microphone.Microphone can be directly installed on the television set 24 that is measured near, pick up the sound that sends in the loud speaker, this is a kind of non-intruding mounting means.Because this mounting means is a non-intruding, so the television set 24 that is measured needn't be opened and be electrically connected together with transducer 56.Thereby can avoid so and the opposition of generation.
Because also can pick up other sound in this zone as the microphone of transducer 56, so also being installed, one second microphone, 90, the second microphones 90 pick up more relatively background noise and less relatively sound from television set 24 loud speakers that are measured.The output of second microphone 90 is used for eliminating background noise to small part by signal pre-processing circuit 58, its short-cut method is that people are known, make the signal amplitude coupling of microphone 56 and 90, deduct the signal of another generation in microphone 56 and 90 then in the signal that is produced from microphone 56 and 90.Another kind method is that signal pre-processing circuit 58 can adopt other acoustic signal processing methods, to reduce background noise.For example, signal pre-processing circuit 58 can adopt input filter, these input filters (for example) can only allow the interior audio signal of 300Hz-3000Hz frequency band pass through, and with the elimination traffic noise, and remove the glitch of the response characteristic introducing of domestic electric appliance.Other can comprise the induction type audio pick device that is associated with the tv audio circuit that is measured as non-invasion formula transducer examples of transducer 56, be positioned near collect television image television set 24 screens that are measured television camera or measure as the optical pickocff of the overall variation of screen intensity of the function of time or the combination of said apparatus near television set 24 screens that are measured.
Transducer 56 is used for obtaining partial programme signal at least, and it is corresponding that these programme signals and some family are chosen in the program or the radio station of watching on the television set 24.If desired, the partial programme signal that obtains of transducer 56 can carry out preliminary treatment by pre-process circuit 58.Signal pre-processing circuit 58 will offer (i) family code reader 60 through pretreated programme signal, this reader is attempted in the family of selecting with statistics 12 selected programs of one or more spectator or the corresponding programme signal in radio station, select and read auxiliary code, (ii) family's station symbol extractor 62, this extractor is as long as family's code reader 60 can not find auxiliary code, and just the programme signal of selecting from one or more spectator produces the program station symbol.
The type of family's code reader 60 can with Hassell Wood people's such as (Haselwood) United States Patent (USP) 4, that is disclosed in 025,851 is similar, quotes from for reference herein, or with Thomas people's such as (Thomas) U.S. Patent application 07/981,1 99 in disclosed similar.As United States Patent (USP) 4,025, disclosed in 851 like that, an auxiliary code is inserted on the image line of the one or more vertical blanking intervals of program image, and is read by the device of this announcement.Although compared with audio coding, video coding is used as the means of tracking television broadcasting more widely, and video coding can not detect according to non-invasive sensors and handle.Therefore, if transducer 56 is microphones, then auxiliary code must place audio-frequency unit, and can be by being similar to United States Patent (USP) 4, the device of the video coding reading device that discloses in 025,851 reads, perhaps by being similar to United States Patent (USP) 4, the device of the audio coding reading device that discloses in 718,106 is read.What it is clear to the person skilled in the art that then is, if adopt people such as Hassell Wood at United States Patent (USP) 4,025,851, in or people such as Thomas given video coding in U.S. Patent application 07/981,199, then can receive same benefit.
Auxiliary code can have any form, only need related with it program and (or) radio station is by the unique identification of this auxiliary code.Equally, given in U.S. Patent application 07/981,199 as people such as Thomas, auxiliary code can comprise a plurality of segmentations, and each section comprises unique source information, thereby the information in each section is represented one in a plurality of distribution stages of related-program.
Because an auxiliary code can carry the information that is necessary that is used for discerning broadcast transmission, and,, enjoy great popularity so adopt the audience measurement system very economical of coded program emission because code reader is that people are known.Have, the code reader that is used to read auxiliary code can be equipped with some appropriate check algorithms etc. again, thereby the number of errors that accurately reads auxiliary code (multilevel code of describing as people such as Thomas) in U.S. Patent application 07/981,199 can be done lowly arbitrarily.
Being proposed in preamble, the problem that only depends on the system of auxiliary code is that not all program or radio station all are equipped with suitable auxiliary code.Like this, preferably also comprise a station symbol extractor, come the station symbol of from programme signal, extracting.When not comprising auxiliary code in the program of watching, can adopt these station symbols.Therefore, except family's code reader 60, can also in family's metering device 14, comprise family's station symbol extractor 62, thereby can obtain these station symbols the programme signal from not reading being received of coding.These station symbols are unique for the programme signal of these station symbols of extracting, thereby can be used to discern just watching program or radio station.Family's station symbol extractor 62 can be Ji Wei people such as (Kiewit) at United States Patent (USP) 4,697, the sort of type described in 209, the content of its announcement is for reference in this citation.
Data storage and communication processor 46 store selectively the auxiliary code that read by family's code reader 60 and (or) family's station symbol extractor 62 station symbol of extracting.Should be noted that, but read by family's code reader 60 as the fruit part recognition coding that then data storage and communication processor 46 also can memory encoding segmentations (for example, a field of multilevel coding), power supply is looked audience measurement system 10 and is used.
If portable metering device 26 similar with family metering device 14 and that can have one or more transducers 56 be used within the family 12 that given statistics selects or outside, then the data of its generation are temporarily stored in random access memory 64, thereby it can be sent in storage and the communication processor 46 every now and then by interface circuit 66 (as first modulator-demodulator) in the portable metering device 26 and the corresponding interface circuit 68 (as second modem) relevant with data storage and processor 46.Such just as known in the art, data can by directly be electrically connected, radio frequency transmission, the infrared signaling of pulsed etc. and transmission between interface circuit 66 and 68.Portable metering device 26 can also comprise signal processing circuit 58, code reader 60 and station symbol extractor 62.
The label device 32 that the televiewer measures system 10 also can be similar with the related device that discloses in people's such as base dimension the United States Patent (USP) 4,697,209.According to United States Patent (USP) 4,697,209, each possible channel (being program source) that the television set in the family 12 that the statistics of the corresponding device 70 of recruiting of standard apparatus 32 can being recruited is selected can receive.Standard apparatus 32 can also comprise and is used for the reference station symbol extractor 72 that each is received channel.Similar with reference to the working method of station symbol extractor 72 to family station symbol extractor 62, thus the reference station symbol of extracting and can compare with the program station symbol that family's station symbol extractor 62 of family metering device 14 is extracted.The reference station of being extracted by reference station symbol extractor 72 is marked with and indicates the extract data of time of respective program source and station symbol can be stored in the reference station symbol storehouse 74 at 34 places, local monitoring station or concentrate the master at office 38 places to concentrate office with reference in the station symbol storehouse 76.Can be with reference to station symbol according to United States Patent (USP) 4,677,466 provide its program identification.United States Patent (USP) 4,677,466 contents that disclose are quoted from this, and are for reference.
Standard apparatus 32 of the present invention also comprises and is used for the program reproducer 78 that each is received channel.Program reproducer 78 produces the duplicate of monitored program, and this duplicate is stored in the memory 80, thereby can be taken out by the concentrated office computer 82 of concentrating exchange device 36 subsequently.Like this, operating personnel can watch the program on the multimedia terminal 84, thereby discern the non-coded program that these 34 places, monitoring station receive.Multimedia terminal 84 can comprise an image display and a loud speaker.Although as United States Patent (USP) 4,677, the VCR system that provides in 466 is the same, program reproducer 78 and memory 80 can be a kind of VCR systems, preferably a kind of Signal Compression device of program reproducer 78, this Signal Compression device produces the digital copies of monitored program, and this digital copies is stored in the memory 80, and memory 80 can be a kind of computer storage.Therefore, the digital copies that is stored in the memory 80 can be transmitted with electrical way by public switched telephone network 48, concentrate office 38 and need not magnetic recording is addressed to from local monitoring station 34, the copy of non-coded program at least a portion thereby compressed data can be used to regenerate.Operating personnel can watch this copy on multimedia terminal 84, thus the identification non-coded program.
Can adopt multiple compression method well-known to those skilled in the art to produce the digital copy device in monitored program or radio station.For example, can come compressed video signal at title for the method described in the report of " Application of Compactly Supported Wavelets to ImageCompression " (" intensive wavelet is in APPLICATION OF IMAGE COMPRESSION ") according to people such as W.R.Zettler.Can come compressed audio signal according to the method described in the paper of J.P.Stautner on " the 93rd conference of audio engineering association (93rd Convention of Andio Engineering Sociaty (-4 days on the 1st October in 1992)) ".Yet, also can adopt other proper compression technology.
Standard apparatus 32 can also comprise that is used for the reference code reader 86 that each is received channel.This reader 86 reads the same auxiliary code of selecting family's code reader 60 at family 12 places to read by statistics.The coding that reference code reader 86 reads compares with the coding and the program data that are stored in concentrated office 38 place's coded program namebases 88 subsequently, its objective is in order to discern the programming of the given broadcast source of given time.Another kind method is that coded program namebase 88 can be placed in the local monitoring station 34.
The coding at 34 places, local monitoring station receives usually and receives reliable than adding up the coding of selecting family 12 places, this be because, 34 places can take some step to improve reception in local monitoring station, thereby can read coding from a weak signal, but select family 12 not hinder just monitored rating with adopting identical step to improve reception in statistics.In this case, when coding can not read at family 12 places that statistics is selected, this coding but can read at 34 places, local monitoring station, and can use with the station symbol that statistics selects family 12 places and 34 places, local monitoring station to extract, thereby more effectively discerns watching program.Like this, because the reference station symbol that station symbol extractor 72 is extracted can compare (being analysed for relevance) with the program station symbol that family station symbol extractor 62 is extracted, and because the station symbol that station symbol extractor 72 is extracted can link together with the specific coding program, so need not operating personnel for discern those by reference station symbol extractor 72 therefrom extract station symbol program and watch coded program with manual method, just can discern these specific coded programs.Therefore, in order to discern and verify those non-coded programs, only need watch by the reference station symbol extractor 72 reference station target non-coded program of before having extracted.
On public switched telephone network 48, add up the concentrated office 38 of selecting families 12 and collecting data from all local monitoring stations 34, only appear at place, a single place among Fig. 2 from all.Although aspect quantitative according to the single national television audience of difference broadcasting establishment of different cities, concentrate to this data collection single place to have some advantages, but be noted that, in each just monitored market area, local monitoring station 34 and concentrated office 38 can be placed on a place, perhaps, local monitoring station 34 and concentrated office 38 can partly put together, and part separately.If a part of system is dispersed in severally different local time, then common way is to concentrate will stand from each the section processes data combination of (office) of office at one, and the heart issue is worth the data notified from this.Measure in the family
Extract and to implement by program shown in Figure 3 92 by the station symbol that family's station symbol extractor 62 is carried out.This program 92 can be implemented by the processor in data storage and the communication processor 46.At the place that begins of program 92, square frame 94 determines whether the data of need recruiting.Discussed in the erect image United States Patent (USP) 4,697,209 like that, when television set is in open state or the current channel of recruiting of television receiver and changes.A logic flag can be set.As United States Patent (USP) 4,697, pointed in 209, if the metering of television set 24 is to adopt its vision signal, can adopt the video lock-out to set the sign of indication channel change.On the other hand, if the metering of television set 24 is to adopt its audio signal (for example in the occasion that adopts the non-intrusion type audio sensor), can adopt the unexpected variation of audio frequency that the sign of indicating channel change is set.Another kind method is, horizontal flyback sweep 15KHz " sound " that can be by monitoring television machine 24 or average/judge as the level variation of television set 24 on/off states.When setting this mark attitude, square frame 94 determines it is the time of record data at this moment.It should be noted, if in a certain predetermined time interval, there is not this characteristic events to occur, if and television set 24 is in open state, in any case this mark attitude then all should be set, with the station symbol of the predetermined minimum number of guaranteeing in the given time interval, to extract.
If square frame 94 is judged sign is not set, then program 92 finishes, and after a certain scheduled time, reenters this program 92 again.This operation has been avoided television set that is in off state and/or wireless unnecessary monitoring.If square frame 94 determination flag have been set up, then square frame 96 is reset this sign, and the auxiliary code in the signal of square frame 97 read sensors 56 receptions, if there is this sign indicating number in this signal.Subsequently, square frame 98 judges whether be necessary the station symbol of extracting.For example,, then can judge program or the radio station that television set 24 (or a broadcast receiver) is recruited at an easy rate according to this auxiliary code if having an auxiliary code in the signal that transducer 56 receives, and the station symbol of needn't extracting in addition.Yet if there is no auxiliary code can not be judged program or radio station that television set 24 is recruited so simply, thus must be according to the signal that transducer 56 the receives station symbol of extracting, thus can discern program or radio station thus.On the other hand, whether square frame 98 can so that no matter exists auxiliary code in the programme signal, can be by the programme signal that transducer 56 the receives station symbol of extracting.
If square frame 98 is judged the station symbol of need extracting, if then need, square frame 99 can further be handled the signal from signal pre-processing circuit 58, and the noise in the signal that further elimination erasure signal pre-process circuit 58 provides.Subsequently, square frame 100 is analyzed this signal, thereby can be by a kind of method in several clocking methods of square frame 102 selections, and square frame 104 can the firing platform target be extracted so that station symbol is extracted.Square frame 106 is by the use (selecting the clock 108 at family 12 places as statistics among Fig. 2) of clock, and the auxiliary code that square frame 97 is read marks the time, and the station symbol that square frame 104 is extracted marks the time.Square frame 106 is also stored timestamp auxiliary code/or station symbol.
Can select and be used for starting a kind of clocking method that station symbol extracts to comprise the clock signal of using self-clock 108 by square frame 102 by square frame 104.According to this method, station symbol is extracted in response to the clock signal of coming self-clock 108 by family's station symbol extractor 62.This method of using clock time of comprising is the most appropriate in audience measurement in real time (promptly ignore for economic interests in the family recorded program time move watch and lease the mensuration that time of tape is independently watched).
This clock signal method require to add up the clock 108 selected in the family 12 usually and the clock 110 at these 34 places, monitoring station that the televiewer measures system 10 between watch (little at interval much smaller than the minimum circular synchronously by 1 second, greatly by 5 minutes), and the station symbol that family's station symbol extractor 62 at statistics selection family 12 places and 34 places, local monitoring station extract with reference to station symbol extractor 72 can move the time, this time shift value is about the three to four-fold of expecting synchronous error, thus the two effective coupling.Past during the last ten years a kind of common way of coml be, provide between the intrasystem clock of audience measurement synchronously, in the date after making synchronously, accuracy whenever all remained on about one second.For thermodynamic (al) consideration, the desired value of this second drift error is restricted.As everyone knows, can make this Deviation Control of 1 second about 0.1 second every day by the temperature of controlling each clock 108,110 and 112.In addition, well-known, can make the audio frequency station symbol do relevant instantaneous mismatch about 1 second, absolute timing is a kind of useful method sometimes.
Can select and be used for starting the state that another kind of clocking method that station symbol extracts depends on the programme signal of the station symbol of therefrom extracting by clock 102 by clock 104.For example, as United States Patent (USP) 4,677, disclosed in 466 like that, can be after a picture changes, the station symbol of from the stable programme signal of a part, extracting.
Main frame 104 can adopt any method in the multiple known station symbol extraction method (for example United States Patent (USP) 4,697, any method in the video and/or audio station symbol extraction method that provides in 209 and 4,677,416) station symbol of extracting.If requirement, the station symbol of extracting can be numbers with byte in several bytes (being generally 2 bytes).If measure fairly simple (for example above-mentioned situation of watching in real time), then the system of Jian Liing (for example can only adopt a basic station symbol, being the highest effective station symbol byte, perhaps is the highest effective station symbol byte packet under the situation of the station symbol with two above bytes).In other cases, as watch that the numerical value of chance is bigger, and the accidental identical chance of two basic station symbols is too big, then can collect great majority or whole station symbol byte, and these bytes can be used as the expansion station symbol.In addition, watch under any situation of (for example, watch and rent video tape or have program request rating service) running into non real-time, can collect more fully station symbol.
From the televiewer measure data that family's metering device 14 of system 10 obtains comprise usually one group as shown in Figure 4 be the record 120 of recruiting of order with time, wherein, the record mark district 122 of recruiting, type area 124 (for example, in response to the characterization of different state descriptions to the station symbol of extracting, change as picture, absolute sequential, channel change, television set on/off variation etc.), code area 126 and the program station symbol district 128 of containing corresponding auxiliary code or respective program station symbol, and contain free time data district 130, (i) detects corresponding auxiliary code in the described time, the corresponding program station symbol of perhaps (ii) extracting perhaps (iii) is provided with corresponding sign.Special case among Fig. 4 can be by recruiting television receiver at time H:M:O and watching that before H:M+3:03 a certain coded program is for producing, at H:M+3:03 constantly, one new program appears on that channel and spectator's (at H:M+3:05 constantly) another channel of recruiting again, and the program on this another channel does not have the relevant with it auxiliary code discerned.
The part of clock 110 is included in this monitoring station 34, and the data that are used for 34 places, local monitoring station being collected select the data of family 12 places collection to connect with statistics instantaneously.For example, the time that station symbol is extracted is relevant with each station symbol of extracting, thus the time interval between the station symbol of can computation sequence extracting.United States Patent (USP) 4 as people such as base dimensions, 697, that points out in 209 is such, the time interval between the station symbol that order is extracted is particular importance in non real-time program (for example selecting to decide those programs on the VCR132 in the front yard 12 for watching subsequently to be recorded in to add up among Fig. 2), because move the relevant present clock time of the incident of watching, in the identification of just watching program, be worth less with the time.Like this, that has pointed out in the erect image preamble is such, when not only the correlation of the time interval between the station symbol between affirmation two station symbols is not accidental (because the two is that about synchronization is extracted) is useful, and the search parameter in should watching as the identification non real-time in the time interval also is useful.The collection of reference data
It is to be implemented by program shown in Figure 5 133 that the station symbol that is undertaken by the reference station symbol extractor 72 of reference unit 32 is extracted.This program 133 can be implemented by the processor in monitoring station data storage and the communication processor 52.Program 133 can be carried out preliminary treatment by 134 pairs of programme signals from the corresponding device 70 of recruiting of square frame at the beginning as requested.Erect image above discussed like that, be that statistics is selected the programme signal handled in the family 12 from the programme signal of the device 70 of recruiting, not equal to be the signal of a kind of " cleaning " formula.Then, square frame 136 to be analyzing this signal of having handled with the similar mode of square frame 100 (Fig. 3), square frame 137 with to the similar mode of square frame 102 (Fig. 3), judge the appropriate clocking method of the station symbol that is used for extracting.
Subsequently, according to the clocking method that square frame 137 is selected, square frame 138 is extracted substantially with reference to station symbol (promptly the highest effective station symbol byte or station symbol byte packet).Whether square frame 140 is judged needs to expand with reference to station symbol (all station symbol bytes), and this is because (for example) is so little so that can produce wrong result with reference to station symbol scale for a certain certain applications substantially.Expand if desired with reference to station symbol, then square frame 142 is extracted this expansion with reference to station symbol.This expansion is with reference to station symbol in case extracted, if perhaps do not need to expand with reference to station symbol, then square frame 144 is got to reference station to a time mark and put on.The basis of this time mark is the indicated time of the clock 110 of standard apparatus 32.
Subsequently, square frame 146 judges that a certain auxiliary code is whether relevant with the program broadcast on the channel that the device 70 of recruiting is selected.If detect an auxiliary code, then square frame 148 is according to the coded program information of storing in this detected auxiliary codes and the coded program storehouse 88, and the program identification of the program of recruiting is decision making.That is, if coded program storehouse 88 is positioned at 34 places, local monitoring station, then standard apparatus 32 is judged this program identification; Yet, if being positioned at, coded program storehouse 88 concentrates office 88 places, concentrate office's computer 82 to judge this program identification.If auxiliary code is not detected by clock 146, then square frame 150 compresses at least a portion programme signals.The appropriate reference record that square frame 152 storage square frames 148 and 150 are provided.
Two types reference record example is seen shown in Figure 6.At least in some aspects, these reference records are similar to the selection record among Fig. 4.First group of reference record 154 comprises the time interval a when program by the device 70 of recruiting detects auxiliary code.Zone in these reference records of first group of reference record 154 comprises a reference station symbol district 162 and a playing data for broadcasting district 64 that extracts in a time data field 156, a type area 158, a code area 160.Yet auxiliary code is with respect to the reference record of first group of reference record 154 and detected, there is no need to fill in playing data for broadcasting district 164, thereby this zone is blank.
Second group of reference record 166 comprises that a program by the device 70 of recruiting does not detect the time interval of auxiliary code.Zone in second group of reference record 166 comprises a time data field 168, a type area 170, a code area 172, extract a station symbol district 174 and a playing data for broadcasting district 176.Yet, because auxiliary code is not with respect to the reference record of second group of reference record 166 and detected, so there are not data in the code area 172; Therefore, need fill in playing data for broadcasting district 176.So in these time periods, program reproducer 78 compression is by the programme signal of the corresponding device 70 of recruiting, and the synthetic digital copies of this programme signal is stored in the memory 80.
Do not adopt statistics to select the characteristic events of employed the sort of type in the family 12 to detect in the standard apparatus 32.In the family 12 that statistics is selected, must only when television set is in open state, collect data.Yet, the reference data a certain moment afterwards of collecting in the local monitoring station 34, must be used to discern a plurality of such statistics and select watching of family, and must be included in all situations during the characteristic events that arbitrary statistics selects may take place in the family.
Concentrate office's operation
Concentrate exchange device 36 to collect and a plurality of statistics is selected the data of family 12 from a plurality of local monitoring stations 34.Such just as what will know in hereinafter discussing, concentrate the function of office to realize in a place as shown in the figure.Yet,, concentrate office's function and local monitoring station function to may be incorporated in a place for a small-sized and simple system.Another kind of situation is, for a big system (for example, one comprises local mensuration and the national system that measures), can there be one to concentrate office's system, wherein, some function (identification of for example watching in real time) is that each the local concentrated office in this locality finishes, and other functions (as the identification of watching of leasing video tape) then can concentrate intra-office finish a master.
Concentrating the major function of exchange device 36 is to discern in real time to watch.For this processing procedure, concentrate exchange device 36 to obtain all reference records 1 54/166, and select family 12 to obtain all records 120 of recruiting from statistics from a plurality of local monitoring stations 34.Handle these records by program shown in Figure 7.
Square frame 180 judges whether the record of selecting to obtain the family 12 from statistics 120 of recruiting includes auxiliary code in code area 126.Those records 120 of recruiting for including auxiliary code obtain relevant program identification from program code database 88, and the synthetic respective program of square frame 182 storages is watched record.Those programs that these record indications were watched in the time of indication.Yet this processing is used to identification and watches in real time with non real-time and watch, as the reproduction of recording in a certain encoded broadcast program man.Square frame 184 record 120 the remainder (those records 120 of recruiting that promptly do not contain auxiliary code) of will recruiting mainly concentrates office with reference to the reference record in the station symbol storehouse 76 154/166 relatively with obtaining and be stored in from local monitoring station 34.This relatively can be according to United States Patent (USP) 4,697, and the method that provides in 209 is carried out.
As preamble point out, be stored in the main office that concentrates and comprise station symbol in the station symbol district 162 that extracts and the relevant auxiliary code in the code area 160 with reference to some reference record (for example reference record 154) in the station symbol storehouse 76.Other reference records (being reference record 154), comprise station symbol and coding, wherein, auxiliary code be by before at 34 places, local monitoring station, the reference station symbol that is produced by reference station symbol extractor 72 and being stored in reference to the comparison of carrying out between the reference station symbol in the station symbol storehouse 74 obtains.That is, comprise the reference station symbol of extracting in the past with reference to station symbol storehouse 74.These reference station symbols of before having extracted have associated program identification (that is, operating personnel had before watched the program duplicate that the reference station symbol of before having extracted with these is corresponding and manually program identification composed to the reference station symbol of before having extracted).With reference to the station symbol extractor 72 reference station timestamp of extracting, these are compared with reference to station symbol and the reference station symbol of before having extracted that is stored in reference in the station symbol storehouse 74.If reference station symbol of just having extracted and the reference station symbol of before having extracted coupling then can be composed the program identification that indicates the pass with the reference station of before having extracted to the reference station symbol of just having extracted.Recruit record 120 and mark the time accordingly, indicate coupling between the reference record 154 of coding and provide by the program identification of square frame 182 storages and watch record of the family that marks the time.
Other select the record of recruiting in real time of family 12 to mate with the reference record 166 that does not have auxiliary code from statistics.In these cases, the compression duplicate that reproduces in the data field 176 is used to re-create enough respective program (TV programme of promptly regenerating, and this TV programme is presented on the multimedia terminal 84), respective program described here makes the operating personnel that concentrate in the office can watch or listen to this program, thus this program of manual identified.
In aforementioned discussion, will be recognized that, can be only by to the reference record that obtains from local monitoring station with select the record of recruiting that family obtained to mate from being positioned at the statistics that is in same local market with local monitoring station, make each matching treatment more effective.What should be familiar with equally is, various known classification and " combination (clustering) " method can be applied on the reference record that obtains from different local monitoring stations, promptly, if the non-coded reference station symbol of extracting in first local monitoring station can mate with the coded reference station symbol of extracting from different local monitoring stations, then can remove the manual identified step from.Another kind of situation is, if a program duplicate is used to discern a non-coded program broadcasting, then this identification can be used automatically that (or other) local monitoring station locates same program other broadcast.Like this, it is minimum with reference to the scale in station symbol storehouse that combination just makes the main office that concentrates, and has reduced the required work of artificial program identification.These classification and combined method are seen United States Patent (USP) 4,677 especially, and be given in 466.
If at least according to the part auxiliary code, square frame 184 can not make recruit record and reference record coupling, the square frame 186 program station symbol coupling that comprises in the program station symbol that comprises and reference record in the record (it is interior and produce in early time with reference to station symbol storehouse 76 that these program station symbols are stored in the main office that concentrates) of just these being recruited so, perhaps with the reference station symbol of reference record coupling (these are stored in the main office that concentrates with reference in the station symbol storehouse 76 and be time independence station symbol with reference to station symbol, i.e. feature reflection is as the station symbol of hiring out the film that video recording also provides).Various known matching process (for example United States Patent (USP) 4,697, the time station symbol method that provides in 209) can be used to implement these couplings.To not being that the record of recruiting by square frame 186 identification comes mark (that is, watching record as Unidentified program) with " other ", and store by square frame 182.
Although above described several preferred embodiment of the present invention and many improvement and mapping mode, under the situation that does not depart from the scope of the invention, other improvement and variation can also be arranged.For example, the present invention can be used to discern program or the radio station that a certain spectators are watching or listening to.So, erect image is used herein like that, term " program " can also be used to representing the radio station of being watched or being listened to by a certain spectators except being used for representing one section all or part program with different length, commercial advertisement, distribution, public service announcement or the like the meaning.Simultaneously, make the audience can indicate the manual operation device 20 on its people's counter 16 that whether exists to be described as a plurality of push-button switchs 20, but it should be understood that these manually-operated devices can be styles such as rod-pulling type or knob.Have again,, it should be understood that transducer 56 can be positioned near the television set 24, and family's metering device 14 can be away from motor 24 although Fig. 1 provides is that family's metering device 14 is positioned near the television set 24.
Be claim of the present invention below.

Claims (36)

  1. One kind be used for to the broadcasting of a certain signal source and a certain family in the audience measurement system that discerns of family's receiver program of being recruited, it is characterized in that described audience measurement system comprises:
    The benchmark receiving system is used for receiving the programming at a certain base station place;
    The program station symbol that is coupled with the family receiver device of extracting is used for from the described program program station symbol of extracting;
    The reference station symbol that is coupled with the described benchmark receiving system device of extracting is used for extracting with reference to station symbol from described program;
    The station symbol comparison means is used for described program station symbol and describedly compares with reference to station symbol, watches and/or listen to record thereby produce corresponding to the program identification of described program;
    With family's code reading device of described family receiver coupling, be used for reading the auxiliary code of the program that receives in the family;
    With the reference encoder reading device that described benchmark receiving system is coupled, be used for reading the auxiliary code of the program that receives in the base station;
    The coding comparison means, the data that are used for storing in the auxiliary code that will receive in the family and a certain coded program namebase compare, thus institute's record is watched and/or received to generation corresponding to the program identification of described program; And be used for the data of storing in the described auxiliary code that will receive in the described base station and the described coded program namebase relatively, thereby produce program identification broadcast recoding corresponding to described program.
  2. 2. audience measurement as claimed in claim 1 system is characterized in that, described audience measurement system also comprises a personal identification device, be used for discerning monitor each personnel among the spectators.
  3. 3. audience measurement as claimed in claim 2 system is characterized in that, described personnel's measurement mechanism comprises and is used for passive identification each personnel's among the spectators that monitor device.
  4. 4. audience measurement as claimed in claim 3 system is characterized in that described passive each individual's of identification device comprises people personnel counter one by one.
  5. 5. audience measurement as claimed in claim 1 system is characterized in that, described audience measurement system also comprises:
    With the duplicate generating means that described benchmark receiving system is coupled, be used for producing the compression duplicate of at least a portion program that described benchmark receiving system receives;
    Be used for according to described compression duplicate, produce the device of the copy of at least a portion program that described benchmark receiving system receives, thereby operating personnel can discern the program that described benchmark receiving system receives.
  6. 6. audience measurement as claimed in claim 5 system is characterized in that described compression duplicate comprises the digital compression video data, and the device of described generation program copy comprises an image display.
  7. 7. audience measurement as claimed in claim 5 system is characterized in that described compression duplicate comprises the digital uncompressed audio data, and the device of described generation program copy comprises a loud speaker.
  8. 8. audience measurement system as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described audience measurement system also comprises:
    One with described program station symbol first clock that device is coupled of extracting;
    One with described with reference to the station symbol second clock that device is coupled of extracting;
    Wherein, described first clock is become a common clock source at least once a day synchronously with second clock, described first clock and second clock thereby be synchronous, described have a drift error synchronously, described drift error has a desired value, when described program station symbol and described when comparing between with reference to station symbol, described station symbol comparison means makes described program station symbol and described with reference to the mutual time migration of station symbol.
  9. 9. audience measurement system as claimed in claim 8 is characterized in that, described station symbol comparison means makes described program station symbol and described with reference to the mutual time migration of station symbol.
  10. 10. audience measurement system as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that, described audience measurement system comprises many to reference station symbol extract device and reference encoder reading device, wherein, each of many centerings is to being arranged in a base station place of a plurality of base stations, and each of many centerings is carried out information exchange to the coding comparison means.
  11. 11. one kind be used for to the broadcasting of a certain signal source and a certain family in the audience measurement system that discerns of family's receiver program of being recruited, it is characterized in that described audience measurement system comprises:
    The benchmark receiving system is used for receiving the programming at a certain base station place;
    With family's code reading device that described family receiver is coupled, be used for reading the auxiliary code of the program that receives in the family;
    The coding comparison means, the described data that are used for storing in described auxiliary code and the coded program namebase compare, thus the program that receives in the identification family;
    The program station symbol that is coupled with the described family receiver device of extracting is used for from the described program program station symbol of extracting;
    The reference station symbol that is coupled with the described benchmark receiving system device of extracting is used for extracting with reference to station symbol from described program;
    The station symbol comparison means is used for described program station symbol and described with reference to the station symbol comparison, thus the program that receives in the identification family.
  12. 12. audience measurement as claimed in claim 11 system, it is characterized in that, described auxiliary code comprises a plurality of unique source information data of selecting coding in the signal segment of unique appointment, and each unique coding source information data is represented selected one-level in the multilevel signal distribution stage.
  13. 13. audience measurement as claimed in claim 11 system is characterized in that described auxiliary code is organized in the video section of described program.
  14. 14. audience measurement as claimed in claim 13 system is characterized in that described family code reading device is non-to be connected electrically on the described family receiver.
  15. 15. audience measurement as claimed in claim 13 system is characterized in that described family code reading device comprises a light-sensitive device.
  16. 16. audience measurement as claimed in claim 11 system is characterized in that described auxiliary code is organized in the audio-frequency unit of described program.
  17. 17. audience measurement as claimed in claim 16 system is characterized in that, does not link together with the family receiver on the described family code reading device structure.
  18. 18. audience measurement as claimed in claim 17 system is characterized in that described family code reading device comprises sensing device.
  19. 19. audience measurement system, be used for collecting the data of representing programme signal from broadcast signal source, it is characterized in that, described programme signal is received by family's receiver relevant with a certain niche audience, the first of programme signal has an auxiliary code, the second portion of programme signal does not have auxiliary code, and described audience measurement system comprises:
    With the related sensing device of described family receiver, be used for first's programme signal or corresponding first signal component and the secondary signal component of second portion programme signal that sensing and described family receiver receive;
    Signal processing apparatus is used for handling first signal component and secondary signal component, and described signal processing apparatus has an output;
    With the code reading device that the described output of described signal processing apparatus links to each other, be used for reading the auxiliary code that programme signal first carries, and described auxiliary code is stored in the data storage of recruiting;
    The program station symbol generating means that links to each other with the described output of described signal processing apparatus is used for producing the program station symbol according to the second portion of described programme signal, and described program station symbol is stored in the described data storage of recruiting;
    Communicator, being used for auxiliary code communicated by letter with the program station symbol in being stored in the described data storage of recruiting is delivered to one and concentrates innings computer.
  20. 20. audience measurement system as claimed in claim 19, it is characterized in that, described family receiver is a kind of portable receiver, described audience measurement system also comprises the device that can be connected with described communicator, described jockey has the interface that links to each other with the described data storage of recruiting, be used for receiving the data of sending here from the described data storage of recruiting, and before described data are sent to described concentrated office computer, store described data.
  21. 21. audience measurement system as claimed in claim 19 is characterized in that, it also comprises the viewer identification apparatus that is used for discerning described intended viewer.
  22. 22. audience measurement system as claimed in claim 21 is characterized in that, described viewer identification apparatus comprises one can be by the manually-operated device of described intended viewer.
  23. 23. audience measurement system as claimed in claim 21 is characterized in that, described viewer identification apparatus comprises passive personnel's counter.
  24. 24. audience measurement system as claimed in claim 19 is characterized in that, described auxiliary code is organized in the audio-frequency unit of described programme signal.
  25. 25. audience measurement system as claimed in claim 24 is characterized in that, does not link to each other with described family receiver on the described code reading device structure.
  26. 26. audience measurement system as claimed in claim 25 is characterized in that, described code reading device comprises sensing device.
  27. 27. audience measurement system as claimed in claim 25 is characterized in that, described code reading device comprises a light-sensitive device.
  28. 28. audience measurement system, be used for measuring the spectators of a certain broadcast signal source institute broadcast program, it is characterized in that, some programs are received by the family's receiver in a certain family, and select to watch and/or listen to by a certain intended viewer, first program cells of described program is carried auxiliary code, and second program cells of described program is not carried auxiliaring coding, and described audience measurement system comprises:
    Program station symbol in the described family device of extracting is used for the program station symbol of extracting from least one program of described program;
    Reference station symbol in the base station device of extracting is used for extracting with reference to station symbol from least one program of described program;
    With extract device and of described program station symbol, be used for described program station symbol and describedly compare with reference to station symbol with reference to the station symbol comparison means that device links to each other of extracting;
    Duplicate generation device in the described base station is used for producing the compression duplicate of described second program cells, and this duplicate is stored in the memory;
    With the regenerating unit that described duplicate generation device is coupled, be used for according to the regenerate copy of second program cells of described compression duplicate, thereby operating personnel can discern and the relevant broadcast program of described second program cells.
  29. 29. as claimed in claim 28ly it is characterized in that with reference to the station symbol gathering-device described compression duplicate comprises a digital compression video signal, described regenerating unit comprises an image display.
  30. 30. as claimed in claim 28ly it is characterized in that with reference to the station symbol gathering-device described compression duplicate comprises a digital uncompressed audio signal, described regenerating unit comprises a loud speaker.
  31. 31. a method of discerning some broadcast programs in a plurality of broadcast programs, described broadcast program is received by the receiver that is associated with a certain broadcast viewer, it is characterized in that described method comprises following step:
    (a) at described receiver place, receive with described program in the signal that program is corresponding;
    (b), then read and in the described aid identification sign indicating number of first memory stored and time interval of reading described aid identification sign indicating number, as the coded data that marks the time if there is the aid identification sign indicating number in the described signal;
    (c) if there is not the aid identification sign indicating number in the described signal, the program station symbol of then extracting from described signal, and the time of storing the described program station symbol and the described program station symbol of extracting in described first memory are as the program station symbol data that mark the time;
    (d) data passes in the described first memory is concentrated office;
    (e) detect described signal in a local monitoring station;
    (f) the reference station symbol of extracting and obtaining from described signal at place, described local monitoring station, and be marked with and extract the described reference station target time at the described reference station of second memory stored, as the reference station symbol that marks the time;
    (g) in the second memory of the reference station symbol data that have the time of marking, the aid identification sign indicating number that storage (1) is read from described signal at place, described local monitoring station, perhaps the compressed digital duplicate of (2) described signal;
    (h) data passes in the described second memory is arrived described concentrated office;
    (i) in described concentrated office, with the described coded data and the comparison of first database that marks the time, thereby discern first in numerous programs, described first database contains a broadcast program name table and associated auxiliary code;
    (j) in described concentrated office, described auxiliary code and described first database that will store with the described reference station symbol data that mark the time and the program station symbol data that mark the time compare, thereby discern the second portion in numerous programs;
    (k) produce the also program copy of the described compressed digital duplicate of manual identified, thereby produce a record in second database, described second database contains a broadcast program name table and associated station symbol;
    (l) described second database and the described program station symbol data that mark the time are compared, thereby discern third part in numerous programs;
    (m) repeating step (j), (k) and (l) mark the program station symbol data of time or identified until all, perhaps are judged as and can't discern.
  32. 32. method as claimed in claim 31 is characterized in that, described spectators' sign with described mark the coded data of time and mark the program station symbol data of time relevant.
  33. 33. an audience measurement system is characterized in that it comprises:
    One near the receiving system that receives program signal sampling receiver, and described receiving system comprises one first clock; One first communicator; Code reading device is used for reading auxiliary code from the coded portion of described program signal; Program station symbol generation device is used for producing the program station symbol according to the no coded portion of described program signal; One first storage device, be used for storing first data, described first data comprise the coded data of the mark time relevant with the auxiliary code that code reading device read of receiving system, and the station symbol data of the mark time relevant with the described program station symbol of program station symbol generation device generation;
    Standard apparatus comprises that one receives the reference receiver from the described program signal of monitored program source; One reference clock; Code reading device is used for reading auxiliary code from the described coded portion of described program signal; One with reference to the station symbol generation device, is used for producing with reference to station symbol according to described program signal; One compression duplicate generation device is used for producing the compression duplicate of the no coded portion of described program signal; Second storage device, be used for storing second data, described second data comprise the auxiliary code that read by the standard apparatus code reading device, described with reference to station symbol, read auxiliary code and produced the reference station target time by the described code reading device of described standard apparatus; Store second storage device of the 3rd data, described the 3rd data comprise described compression duplicate, and the time that produces compression duplicate;
    Comparison means comprises the second communication position that is coupled with described first communicator, and the 3rd storage device, is used for the 4th data that a certain scheduled program unit is associated with a certain predetermined auxiliary code; Described comparison means receives described first of described first and second storage devices, the second and the 3rd data, and order is made comparisons, wherein, (i) marking coded data and described the 4th data of time mates, thereby form first grouping that program identification is watched record, (ii) with described program station symbol and describedly compare with reference to station symbol, thereby produce second grouping that program identification is watched record, and produce the middle groups that comprises the Unidentified program station symbol of recruiting, the described of some station symbols in the (iii) unidentified program station symbol middle groups and described the 3rd data compared with reference to station symbol, the compression duplicate of each coupling that finds with identification, thereby can therefrom regenerate and the corresponding described broadcast singal of described identification compression duplicate, the broadcast singal of described regeneration is convenient to operating personnel and is used for making programm name to be associated with described Unidentified program station symbol, thereby produce the 3rd grouping that program identification is watched record, and remaining last organized Unidentified program station symbol.
  34. 34. an audience measurement system is used for the programme signal that receives from a certain family receiver a certain family, discern a certain program or radio station, it is characterized in that, described audience measurement system comprises:
    The benchmark receiving system is used for receiving at base station the broadcasting of described programme signal;
    Family's code reading device with described family receiver is coupled is used for when having auxiliary code, reads described auxiliary code from the described programme signal that described family receives;
    The coding comparison means is used for described auxiliary code and the data that are stored in the database are compared, to discern described program or the radio station that receives in the described family;
    The program station symbol that is coupled with the described family receiver device of extracting is when being used for not having auxiliary code in described programme signal, from the described programme signal program station symbol of extracting;
    The reference station symbol that is coupled with the described benchmark receiving system device of extracting is used for extracting with reference to station symbol from the described programme signal that is broadcast to described base station;
    The station symbol comparison means is used under the situation of program station symbol of having extracted, with described program station symbol and described with reference to the station symbol comparison, to discern described program or the radio station that receives in the described family.
  35. 35. audience measurement as claimed in claim 34 system is characterized in that, described family code reading device is non-electrically to link to each other with described family receiver.
  36. 36. audience measurement as claimed in claim 35 system is characterized in that described family code reading device comprises sensing device.
CN94190826A 1993-10-27 1994-10-17 Audience measurement system Expired - Lifetime CN1047902C (en)

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US08/144,289 1993-10-27
US08/144,289 US5481294A (en) 1993-10-27 1993-10-27 Audience measurement system utilizing ancillary codes and passive signatures

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CN1116026A true CN1116026A (en) 1996-01-31
CN1047902C CN1047902C (en) 1999-12-29

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